Impact Report 2022 & 2023
Assisting Communities in the Southern Highlands of Peru
Letter from the Board President
Dear Friends of the Chijnaya Foundation,
We are delighted to share this summary of all you have made possible in the Altiplano in 2022-2023. Despite the challenges of COVID, a chaotic and violent political environment and the persistent drought in the Puno region, the news from the Altiplano communities in the Chijnaya network continues to be inspiring.
We have just concluded our annual Board meeting and you will see some of the decisions in this impact report. As a result of your investment in the Foundation, we will be able to fund 13 new Rotating Fund projects and provide 45 students with scholarships. In addition, our Dental program will once again be underway, and our Savings Program continues to expand to new communities. None of this would have been possible without your generous support
As you will see chronicled in the pages below, Makensie Brown, has seamlessly moved into the position of Managing Director. Her long-term leadership in the world of nonpro ts and her knowledge and love of Latin American have been a perfect t. My special thanks to Makensie as well as to the entire Executive Committee (Kathy Oths, Vice President, Mike Rensink, Treasurer, Liz Klarich, Secretary) for making the past two years such a success.
Special thanks are due to the leadership of the Executive Director of ProDIA, David Cajo Cosavalente, and the ProDIA team. Their e orts to expand our work to over 40 communities and associations are truly remarkable, especially in light of the challenges of the past two years. The new location of ProDIA’s o ce in the central square of Pucara will bring greater visibility to the Foundation’s e orts and, hopefully, additional support for its work. Our thanks as well to the ProDIA Board of Directors and the new President Dr. Ricardo Roca. The work of the Chijnaya Foundation would not be possible without the dedication and generous donation of time and e ort from the ProDIA Board.
We hope you will take pride in the report that follows and share it with others. It is testimony to what you have made possible. We appreciate that there are many worthy causes that need support and we are deeply grateful for your investment in the Chijnaya Foundation’s work in Peru. Please be in touch with us if you need further information or would like to join us at a Board meeting, or visit the ProDIA team in Peru.
Susie Bourque President and Chair of the Board, The Chijnaya Foundation
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Letter from the General Operations Manager
Dear friends and partners,
This report celebrates the accomplishments of The Chijnaya Foundation family over the past two years. These are your achievements, catalyzed by your investment in our projects and your sustained support for our shared vision of addressing extreme poverty in underserved Andean communities. Thank you!
I am very grateful for the opportunity to help guide this organization towards our annual goals. Since April of this year, I have greatly enjoyed working alongside our board members and our partners at the Pro DIA Association.
communities where we work gathered around the red and white-painted exterior to break a bottle of champagne over the doors of the location that will now be a crucial meeting point for our partners.
rotating funds projects gathered near and far to give thanks to Pachamama, Asociación Pro DIA, and
of the hope that will be found at this place for years to come. I want to ensure that each of you can feel the gratitude that was expressed in our direction, because thanks to everyone’s involvement we were able to reach this important milestone.
I share these updates with the idea to remind you of the beauty of the work that is being collectively done as we speak. It is all too often that we can get caught up in a task at hand and lose sight of the bigger picture. I am certain that thanks to the kind hearts and talents of each one of you, we will continue to implement these transformative and self-sustaining projects that improve the health, education, and economic situations of many. I am motivated by the support that we have received this year, and I invite you to continue alongside us as the living standards and quality of life of our partners
In partnership,
Makensie Brown General Operations Manager, The Chijnaya Foundation
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Our Mission
The Chijnaya Foundation works in partnership with rural communities in Southern Peru to design and implement self-sustaining projects in health, education, and economic development. Our work supports community-led e orts to create viable futures, preserve their culture, and social conditions.
Our Approach
Our Peruvian counterpart organization, Pro-DIA, works with communities long-term to develop a comprehensive development strategy and on-going collaboration to meet their goals. All projects must emerge from the community itself and be based on the perceived needs of the members of the community. Pro-DIA and The Chijnaya Foundation serve as consultants to the communities in the network and assist them in implementing approved projects.
Health
The Dental Program provides oral health education and dental services that were previously unavailable to communities. Other health and environmentfocused projects have included improving cook stoves, water infrastructure, and high altitude wetlands.
Economic Development
We empower communities to improve their income generating activities by providing access to a sustainable source of capital to invest in their businesses through the Rotating Fund Program and by promoting nancial self-reliance through the Group Savings Program.
Education
The Scholarship Program promotes equitable access to higher education in rural and indigenous communities. It provides an average of 50 scholarships a year to high school graduates from our partner communities to pursue degrees at universities and technical institutes.
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Our Commitment
As a US-based nonpro t, we strive to be allies to indigenous communities and support community-led e orts that do not perpetuate colonialism or neocolonialism.
All administrative expenses of the Foundation are covered by donations from Board members; all private individual donations are devoted exclusively to projects in Peru.
Once a community becomes a partner, we work with them long term to develop a comprehensive development strategy and on-going collaboration to meet their goals.
The Chijnaya Foundation works in the Puno region of Peru, a southern state that borders Bolivia.
In Puno, our work is focused in the altiplano, a geographic area of high altitude plains and rolling hills that is located at elevations of 12,500 feet and above. The Foundation has worked with communities in the following six districts in Puno: Pucará, Choquehuanca, Taraco, Paratía, Capachica, and Amantani.
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The Rotating Fund Program Impact Data
The Rotating Fund Program was created in 2007 to address communities' need for capital to invest in their income generating activities and to improve the family economy.
Community members work with our Peruvian partner organization, Asociación Pro-DIA, to de ne long term goals and design projects to achieve their vision for economic development. Projects are focused on increasing family income and are funded using a rotating loan model, meaning communities pay back the amount used for each project to a community fund.
Community members decide on loan payback periods and interest rates. Once the loan is paid back, community members use the funding to implement additional projects. The community fund is managed by the community with support of our team in Peru.
2022
$221,709
Invested by 22 communities in projects to improve their income generating activities and family economy.
2023
$393,191
Invested by 26 communities in projects to improve their income generating activities and family economy.
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$880,762
Accumulated, managed, and reinvested by 43 communities since 2007
5,933
People have directly bene ted from the Rotating Fund program
Protection and Restoration of Bofedales
Bofedales are a type of wetland found at high altitudes throughout Peru and Chile. These wetlands are a fundamental part of high-altitude environments in the Andes because they help regulate water levels in nearby aquifers; they also provide water for both animal and human consumption and grazing pasture for livestock. In recent years, climate change and overgrazing have caused bofedales to begin to disappear in the 5 alpaca communities in the Chijnaya network. This project will restore and protect the bofedales of these communities by providing individualized trainings in each community, planting native grasses, strategically directing water to replenish water levels, and building fences to ensure areas are protected. The project is partially funded by a grant from the New England Biolabs Foundation and Water Charity and is a part of a set of projects aimed at improving the family economy of alpaca herding communities.
1,245
People have indirectly bene ted from the Rotating Fund program
Implementation of Solar Water Heaters
The tourism associations in Occopampa and Llachón have been working to develop the local tourism industry and build and improve accommodations for guests on their properties. Currently, none of the association members in Occopampa and only 3 members in Llachón have hot water in their bathrooms, so this year each association submitted a project proposal to implement solar thermal water heaters. They estimate that this will allow them to increase their income by at least 5%, improve the quality of service they provide, and contribute to their long-term goal of creating a sustainable and successful rural tourism business that allows them to share their traditions and culture with visitors.
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Impact Data
Accessing loans with fair interest rates can be very di cult for rural communities in Peru. The Group Savings Program facilitates the creation of small savings groups and community banks to provide members with a place within their community to save their money and take out loans. All of the money saved and invested by these groups comes from the members themselves. The groups are able to provide members with low interest rate loans and all interest paid on the loans directly bene t the groups’ savings.
In 2022 and 2023, savings group members reported using their savings and loans to purchase business inventory, cover children’s educational expenses, cover medical expenses, and purchase small farm animals. Women play a major role in these organizations and often assume leadership positions, including o ces of President and Treasurer. In recent years, the program evolved to also provide groups with nancial training on topics such as how to save and create a family budget as well as topics related to managing the nances of a small business.
2022
$144,522
Saved and invested by 14 savings groups and community banks
2023
$149,811
Saved and invested by the 16 savings groups and community banks
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The Scholarship Program
Impact Data
Since 2007, The Chijnaya Foundation has responded to the overwhelming desire of rural families for access to higher education by o ering scholarships to high school graduates to attend universities or technical institutes.
In 2013, scholarship recipients organized a group called Mosoq Riqchari, which is Quechua for New Dawn. The group meets throughout the year to share their experiences and use their elds of study to implement projects that help solve some of the challenges their home communities face. This group not only helps students give back to their communities, but also provides a space for them to practice self-governance. In addition, it allows them to network with other students from nearby communities who are the rst generation in their family to pursue higher education.
Seventeen endowed scholarships have been funded by donations to the Chijnaya Foundation. These pay tribute to a loved one’s memory and create opportunities for students who are pursuing a speci c eld of study. The list of current named scholarships can be found on our website. If you are interested in establishign a scholarship please email us at info@chijnaya.org for more details.
652 Scholarships awarded to students from 27 di erent communities in the altiplano since 2007
In 2022 and 2023 the students of Mosoq Riqchari implemented projects focused on areas such as:
- Anemia Prevention
- Vocational Guidance
- Digital Marketing
- First Aid Training
- Dairy Plant and Pilot Milk Production
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21,572
Fluoride and curative dental treatments provided since 2013
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Schools received educational, remedial, and preventative activities in 2022 and 2023.
259
Children received training on dental hygiene and hygiene kits to support healthy habits at home in 2022 and 2023
Impact Data
According to a 2017 report from the Peruvian Ministry of Health, Puno is among the top three regions in Peru with the highest incidence of cavities in children 3 to 15 years of age. The report found that over 98% of children in these regions had cavities due to inadequate oral hygiene and lack of visits to a dentist.
The Chijnaya Foundation created a Dental Program in 2010 at the repeated request of communities and due to the apparent need for access to dental services. The program prioritizes providing uoride treatments, curative dental treatments, and training sessions on oral health to children. Several community-wide clinics are also implemented each year to provide dental services to adults.
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Program Service 90% In -country Management and General 10%
Source of Revenue Use of Funds
Communities submit project proposals at the end of each year. The following economic development community projects have been selected for implementation in 2024. Tourist Lodging Improvement
Tourist Lodging Improvement
The Wiñay Cantuta Association dedicates their time to providing touristic services on the beautiful Lake Titicaca. They seek to improve the quality of lodging for their visitors in order to showcase their picturesque community.
Community: Colquecachi - Amantaní
Beneficiaries: 20
Amount to invest: $4,166
Mini Stables Construction
The Asociación Virgen de Carmen seeks to create mini stables to protect their cows from inclement weather. This will improve the quality and quantity of milk produced, increasing their income.
Community: Asociación Virgen de Carmen - Nicasio
Beneficiaries: 10
Amount to invest: $4,166
Purchase of Fodder Oats
Purchase of Fodder Oats
The association hopes to increase their cattle’s nutrition by implementing oat seed in their diet. This will ensure quality milk production and thus economic income for the families.
Community: Asociación Huancuire - Choquehuanca
Beneficiaries: 15
Amount to invest: $2,222
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Tourist Dining Improvement
This community is located near one of the hidden wonders of the Puno region, Tinajani Canyon. They make a living by providing food and lodging services to tourists. They hope to better equip their communal dining area, attracting more visitors to the region.
Community: Turismo Vivencial Apu ChincuraniTinajani - Ayaviri
Beneficiaries: 23
Amount to Invest:
$1,388
Hayloft Construction
The association earns their living from agricultural activities and is asking for support in constructing a place to store their hay for their animals.
Community: Asociación Pukarani - Nicasio
Beneficiaries: 15
Amount to invest: $2,777
Ceramic Workshop
This community seeks an adequate environment for the elaboration of ceramics. Currently, the rain and elements ruin their product. By creating an enclosed area for creation and storage of their product, they will increase the quanity and quality produced.
Community: Mosoj Pakariy - Pucará
Beneficiaries: 15
Amount to invest: $2,777
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During a second phase of projects with this community, we are supporting the artisans with the purchase of several potters wheels. This will allow for greater e ciency and higher production, which will increase economic income for the families involved.
Community: Copacabana - Choquehuanca
Beneficiaries: 12
Amount to invest: $2,777
Purchase of Alfalfa Seeds
The Chijnaya Foundation has recently worked with this community to purchase fodder oat seeds. This second phase will allow the farmers to diversify their cattle’s diet and increase milk production.
Community: Mercedes - Chijnaya
Beneficiaries: 50
Amount to invest: $2,777
Purchase of Fodder Oats
This group of dairy farmers seeks to increase their production of milk through the diversi cation of their cattle’s diet. By caring for their cows they hope to increase familiar income.
Community: Fátima - Nicasio
Beneficiaries: 16
Amount to invest: $1,944
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Display Case Purchase
Group 1
The artisans seek to have a structure that will allow them to showcase their work to potential customers, ultimately increasing their sales and family income. This group creates ceramic artwork such as the torito seen in the photograph.
Community: Chaska Pukara - Pucará
Beneficiaries: 10
Amount to invest: $2,200
Group 2
Similarly, this group of artisans is asking for support to have a space not only to store their work, but also to show their product to customers. They create fragile ceramic pieces that must be delicately stored.
Community: Pukallinki - Pucará
Beneficiaries: 22
Amount to invest: $2,777
Solar Powered Water Baths
This group of artisans is requesting support to purchase solar powered water baths that will allow them to work with warm water. Many members who currently work with cold water become ill and are unable to earn income for their families. By improving working conditions, they will also improve the quality of their product and the support that they can give their families.
Community: 25 de Diciembre - Choquehuanca
Beneficiaries: 22
Amount to invest: $4,020
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Leadership Circle
Gifts of $1,000 and up
Abigail Levine
Alida Metcalf
Anke Dew
Ann Stromberg & Rudy Volti
Anne Bages
Asela Gunawardana
Bob and Ana Cook
Camille DeFrank & Edward Chez
Carla Dahl-Jorgensen
Carole & Leigh Paquin
Charles Haug MD
Christine Shelton
Connie Jaquith
Cynthia McClintock
Dave Moghadam
David Buchner & Marian Huhman
Diane Palmer
Donald D yche & Phyllis Cummins
Elysia Solomon
Eugene Bolton
Everett O. Snowden
Fernando Mendez
Vivian Morgan-Mendez
Gregor y Larson
Hans Sono Jimenez
Harriet & John Taylor
Heather Williams
Huacaya Chief
Ines Contreras
James Bass
Jane & Clif Taylor
Jane Jaquette & Abe Lowenthal
Jeremy Hobbs
John N. Br yan IV
John Rouse
Joseph Bourque MD
K atherine Gabel
K athleen McCar tney & William Hagen
K athy O ths & Bill Dressler
Keelung Hong
Kevin J Healy
Laurie Sanders & Frederic Morrison
Leah Sanders
Margaret Anne Pierce
Margo Smith
Mar tha J. Egan
Mar y Beth Klarich
Mar y Clare Wilk inson
Melody A Foti
Paul E. & Peggy Slater
Penina Glazer
Peter Olson
Phoebe Dent Weil
Ravi & Mona Sinha
Richard Waller & George Whitman
Rober t & Elizabeth Boylan
Roland Moore & Marlowe Baldwin
Rolly Thompson
Rosemar y N and Ian M Dew
Sally & James Lindsey
Sara Bourque
Sisto Mazza
Stephen & Sharon Willey
Steven Bosiljevac
Suzanne Frayser
Wendy Stickel
Anonymous
Friends of the Foundation
Gifts of $500 and up
Andrew W. Zanella
Anton Bauer
Brian Polovoy
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Charles Staelin & K aren
Golding-Staelin
Christopher Goldie & Nada Dar wiche
Dan Leatherman & Chester McQuear y
David W. Brown
Elizabeth Briody & Marc Robinson
Elizabeth Klarich
Eric and Amy Montgomer y
Frederick & Maria Cornelius
Geraldine M. Benson
Gerard L Finkelstein
Gillian Speichinger
Jane Br yden & Christopher Krueger
Jane Douglass
Jennifer Kim & Stevie Pyon
John & Linda Dressman
Judson Emerick
Judy Yates
K atharine Jenk ins
Kenneth Erickson
Leigh Speichinger
Margot A. & Louis E. Komarmy
Mark and Jean Farmer
Matthew Velasco
Merr y Keefe
M ichael Bordoni
M ichael Hirsh
M ichael Rouse
Nicholas Perak is
Peter & Wanda M ichaelson
Peter Hofman
Richard Muirhead
Sally Bourque -Laycsak & Joe Laycsak
Santa Fe Community Foundation
Theodore Terr y Clattenburg
Thomas & Margaret Greaves
Wilson Will
Advocates
Gifts up to $500
Ahmad Chaudhr y
Alice Schlegel
Alicia Boswell
Allan Hoben
Anderson Family Donor Fund
Angel Pineda
Anthony & Kerr y Oliver-Smith
Beck y Henderson & Dan Kowalsk i
Bernard T. & Catherine Rocca III
Betsy A. Collins & Mar y J Whitney
Betsy Evans-Banks
Bill and Georgeann Andrus
Bob Brannon
Bobbin Young
Bobby V & Julie A Beanblossom
Brian Bauer & Eliana Gamarra
Brooke Holmes
Brooke Thomas
Bruce Neil Anderson
Bur t Lazarin
Carl F. & Br yna Herbold
Carol Caro
Carol Michelson
Carol R Ember
Carol Schultze
Caroline Moore
Catherine J Allen
Cecilia Riddell
Charlene Bolton
Charles Stanish
Cher yl McFadden
Christina Conlee
Christine Masson
Clinton Cross
Corinne Hone
Daniel & Lissa Petersen
Dar yl Smith
David & Sharon Reier
David and Sherr y Bourque
David L Rogers
Debbie Cottrell
Delia Anderson
Denise E. Cavanaugh
Don Joralemon
Donal & Mar y O'Shea
Douglas and K aren Raybeck
Edward & Cher yl Heneveld
Edward & Margarita Glab
Edward Glab
Eleanor Brown
Elizabeth Arkush
Elizabeth R. Moynihan
Ellen Lofaro
Evan Preston
Evelyn LaTorre
Fatma K assamali & Kim Bruce
Gabriel & K athy Bolton
Gabriel Klapman
Gabrielle Vail
Garr y Chick
George & Beverly Westacott
George R. & Dorothy N. Gamble
Glenn Blumhorst
Gloria Levitas
Greg & Angel Meyers
Greg White & Patricia Reidy
Howard & Diane Sachs
Jacquelyn & William Daley
James Hauser
James Likens & Chris Irons
James M. Wallace
James Olson
Janet McGrath & David Zordan
Janice Oresman
Jean Chalmers
Joanne & Peter Tobiessen
Joe & Phoebe Wiley
John & Marianna Connolly
John & Sigrid Southwor th
John E Clark & Catherine Botelho
John G. Bemis
Jose & Rose Calderon
Jose David Cajo Cosavalente
Joshua Glazer
Judith Helzner
Judith Shapiro
Julia Brown
Julia Mehrer
Julien R Phillips
K aren Murphy
K ate Baker- Carr
K atherine A Magoutas
K athleen Sher wood
Kim Sturdivant
Laura Shang
Lawrence Soderholm & Judith Parr
Lee J. Carlin
Leo Schoenhofen
Linda Cassens & Doug Braly
Linda Elderk in
Hayloft Construction
Linda Laird
Linda Moore
Linda Seligmann
Linda Stoltz
Lisa Markowitz
Luc y B Har t
Luc y Britton
M. L. Church
Madelynn & Ralph Appelbaum
Marc y & Neil Alexander
Margaret Slater
Marilyn Rober ts
Mark & Carolyn Landis
Mark Aldender fer
Mar tha Ackelsburg & Judith Plaskow
Mar y Letson
Mar y Patterson McPherson
Mar ysa Navarro Aranguren
Matthew K alishman
Maureen McClain
Maynard Wheeler
Menandra & Jacob Whitmore
Merrill C. Singer
M ichael & Joanne Bailis
M ichael K . Kuehlwein
M ichael Merr y
M iguel Rodriguez
M ike & Barbara Coleman
Molly McLaughlin
N. Roger Chapin
Nanc y & Michael Lofaro
Nanc y E. Dollahite
Nanc y Holder
Ng'ang'a wahu-muchiri
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Noel & Stephen Lammers
Nyla E. Musser
Patricia & Joe Edmisten
Patricia Van Sciver
Patricia Vonbibra
Paul Killebrew
Paula & Michael Koshmrl
Paula & Charles Goldsmid
Ralph Slaght & Susan Bauman
Richard M. Barron
Rober t & Janet Bissell
Rober t & Josefa Scholz
Rober t & Susan Knox
Rober t A Shivers
Rober t & Suzanne O'Hatnick
Rober t Carl Blomberg
Rober t Frost
Rober t Hutchinson
Rober t Libutti
Ron & Sandy Peters
Ronald & Judith Inskeep
Rosemar y & Franco Arnold
Sarah Abraham
Shana Hennigan
Shane & Barbara Hunt
Sharen & Peter Gendebien
Sheila Buck ley & Joerg Menzel
Sheila Gaa
Shirley Colodny
Sidney H. & Judith S. Golub
Steven Glickel & Georgia Mattison
Steven Oder & Robin Nusk ind
Sue Schafer
Susan & Eric Mangler
Susan Ball
Susan McConnell
Susan Phelps
Susan Seymour & Laurence Graham
Teall & Cynthia Messer
Ted Tate
Thomas & Donna Divine
Thomas Hunsdor fer
Vik k i Lenhar t
Virgina Cesan
Organizations
Charities Aid Foundation
Florida State College atJacksonville Digital Media Program
Give Lively Foundation
Network For Good New England Biolabs Foundation
Patient First
Posner Center for International Development
Santa Fe Community Foundation
The AMB Foundation
The International Foundation
The Teagle Foundation
Western Wind Foundation
Legacy Society*
Dan & Judy Bauer
Gloria Levin
Judith Farmer & Dr. Connie Knapp
M ichael J Rensink MD
Ralph Bolton
Susan Barrett
Susan C. Bourque
* These individuals have designated the Chijnaya Foundation in their estate plans or wills. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact us at info@chijnaya.org.
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Our Board of Directors
Executive Committee:
Susan C. BourquePresident
David Cajo Cosavalente
Liz Klarich - Secretary
Kathy Oths - Vice President
Michael J. RensinkTreasurer
Board Members:
Dan Bauer
Judy Bauer
Makensie Brown General Operations Manager The Chijnaya Foundation
Jhuver Aguirre Project Director Asociación Pro DIA
Ralph Bolton - Founder, Past President
Carla Dahl-Jorgensen
Judith Farmer
Kevin Healy
Abby Levine
Roland Moore
Ricardo Roca Torres
John Rouse
Christine Shelton
Richard Waller
George Whitman
Emeritus Members:
Anne Bages
Eugene Bolton
Jerome Crowder
Robert O. Frost
Connie Jaquith
Peggy Slater
Ann Stromberg
Raymond Rifenburg
Heather Williams
Rosmery Montesinos Mendoza Assistant Director Asocación Pro DIA
David Cajo Cosavalente Executive Director Asocación Pro DIA
María Del Carmen Aragón Qusipe Administrative Director Asociación Pro DIA
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EIN: 20-3136350 chijnayafoundation.org info@chijnayafoundation.org Make a gift online, today!
